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    Recipes » Sauces & Condiments

    Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce (for Grilling, Glazing & Dipping!)

    Published: Jul 6, 2021 · Modified: Oct 25, 2022 by foodworthfeed

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy homemade Apricot Barbecue Sauce is sweet, tangy, spicy and absolutely crave-able!

    A jar of apricot bbq sauce next to a barbecue dipped basting brush and whole and half apricots

    This recipe calls for fresh apricots and is perfect for all of your Summertime grilling, glazing and dipping! This simple recipe is a great way to utilize an abundance of apricots in a versatile sauce that the whole family will love! This recipe is great for Father's Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and all of your cookouts, gatherings and grilling parties!

    Try this recipe on our Smoked Chicken Quarters!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients (& Substitution Suggestions)
    • How To Make This Recipe (Pssst...It's So Easy!)
    • How To Use This BBQ Sauce (Hint: There's No Wrong Answers)
    • How Long Does Barbecue Sauce Last?
    • More Recipes To Love This Summer!
    • Recipe

    Ingredients (& Substitution Suggestions)

    Apricot BBQ Sauce is easily made with these ingredients:

    ingredients needed to make this recipe: water, ketchup, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, apricots, salt, pepper, worcestshire, brown sugar, oil, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, cayenne
    Ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
    • Apricots - Using fresh fruit (instead of a sweeter apricot jam) makes this BBQ sauce super tangy and delicious! We recommend using fresh apricots with a firm and tart flesh.
    • Brown Sugar - For a flavor that is a little different, try substituting the sugar with maple syrup. (But make sure you use the real stuff and not the maple-flavored high-fructose corn syrup!)
    • Cayenne - We love the spicy kick provided by cayenne pepper, but feel free to substitute some of your favorite hot sauce. Otherwise, you can omit the cayenne for a sweet and mild apricot sauce.
    • Worcestershire Sauce - For a vegan alternative, substitute two tablespoons soy sauce, instead.

    How To Make This Recipe (Pssst...It's So Easy!)

    Whenever we have the chance, we always opt to make our sauces from scratch! This Apricot BBQ Sauce is quick and simple to make and tastes so much better than what you can buy in the grocery stores.

    1. First, heat a little oil in a medium sized pot. Then, add the spices and stir to toast until aromatic.
    2. Next add the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, water and diced apricots. This combination of ingredients creates that desirable tangy flavor! Stir well.
    3. Cook that mixture down over medium heat until the apricots are very soft and the mixture has achieved a deep mahogany color.
    4. Next, stir in the ketchup and dijon and simmer briefly to let the flavors meld together. If you would like, use a standard or immersion blender to puree the barbecue sauce until smooth. (Pureeing is an optional extra step, you can leave it chunky, if preferred.)
    5. Finally, season with a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper. That's it! Apricot BBQ Sauce is ready to be enjoyed!
    a jar or apricot bbq sauce bext to a pot, apricots and basting brush

    How To Use This BBQ Sauce (Hint: There's No Wrong Answers)

    This Apricot BBQ Sauce recipe is so versatile, there's no limit to how many ways it can be enjoyed! Simply use this homemade sauce any time you need a little sweet and sticky barbecue action! Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:

    • Grilled Pork Chops - Glaze the chops in the last few minutes of grilling.
    • Pulled Pork Sandwiches - Toss the pulled pork in Apricot BBQ Sauce and pile high on a toasted bun!
    • Baby Back Ribs - Smoked or grilled pork ribs are finger-lickin' good with this yummy sauce recipe!
    • Grilled Chicken - chicken thighs, breasts, or whole chickens would all be delicious!
    • Chicken Wings (Fried, Air-fried, Baked or Grilled!)
    • Smoked Chicken - Use this recipe to glaze our Smoked Chicken Quarters (with Easy BBQ Rub)
    • BBQ Burgers - (So good with blue cheese and crispy onions!)
    • Meatloaf - Give Mom's meatloaf a tangy twist by using this Apricot Barbecue Sauce in place of ketchup!
    • As a Dip - for fries, chicken tenders, tater tots & more!
    A tray of BBQ food including a smoked chicken leg being glazed with a brush of Apricot BBQ Sauce
    This BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with our Smoked Chicken Quarters recipe!

    How Long Does Barbecue Sauce Last?

    Homemade barbecue sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two - three weeks. That being said, it's so tasty - ours never lasts more than a couple of days! If you would like to store this recipe for even longer, this BBQ sauce can be frozen for three or more months.

    More Recipes To Love This Summer!

    Looking for more recipes to serve at your cookouts and potlucks this Summer? Take a look at these favorites!

    • How To Cook A Perfectly Grilled Ribeye
    • Sweet Skillet Cornbread with Honey Butter
    • Fried Potato Salad with Bacon & Homemade Aioli
    • Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken

    Check out our entire collection of Appetizer, Main Course, Dessert & Drink recipes for more homemade inspiration!

    Recipe

    A jar or homemade apricot bbq sauce with a spoon in it

    Tangy Apricot BBQ Sauce (for Grilling, Glazing & Dipping!)

    This homemade Apricot Barbecue Sauce recipe uses fresh apricots for a sweet, sticky, tangy condiment! This recipe can be used whenever BBQ sauce is enjoyed and is perfect for glazing smoked meats, basting grilled foods and adorning your Summer cookouts!
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Rate This Recipe
    Print Pin
    Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 16 Servings
    Author: foodworthfeed
    Prevent your screen from going dark while reading this recipe

    Special Equipment

    • Immersion or Standard Blender (Optional)

    Ingredients

    • ½ Tablespoon cooking oil
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
    • 12 ounces fresh apricots (about 5 medium apricots) washed, pitted and diced (See Note: a)
    • ¼ Cup filtered water
    • ¼ Cup brown sugar light or dark
    • 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (See Note: b)
    • 1 Cup ketchup
    • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard we like whole-grain dijon
    • fine kosher salt* to taste
    • Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Gather, measure and prepare the Apricot BBQ Sauce ingredients as listed. To view metric measurements, toggle the US Customary/Metric switch at the top of this recipe card.
    • In a medium pot, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano and cayenne. Stir to toast for one minute, until aromatic.
    • Then add diced apricots, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the apricots are very soft and beginning to break down into the sauce.
    • Add ketchup and dijon and stire to combine. Continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
    • Optional: For a smooth sauce, as photographed, puree the barbecue sauce with an immersion or standard blender. Process on high speed until smooth, about 90 seconds.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Apricot BBQ Sauce is ready and can be served warm or stored in an airtight container for later use.
      To save for a later, allow the sauce to cool to room-temperature before covering and refrigerating. Apricot BBQ Sauce can be kept refrigerated for 2 - 3 weeks. Enjoy!

    Notes

    a. Apricots have a thin, delicate skin and do not need to be peeled.
    b. For a vegan substitution, use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce. 

    *Unless otherwise noted, foodworthfeed recipes are developed using Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt. If using iodized or table salt, reduce quantities by about half.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did You Try This Recipe?Please leave a star rating! Then snap a pic & mention @foodworthfeed or tag #foodworthfeed to be featured on our Instagram stories!

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